Non-Native Animal Species Invasiveness Assessments

In 2013, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and consultants with Adirondack Research, Inc., utilized three modified versions of the plant assessment protocol to assess the invasive nature of non-native animal species. This work was conducted in preparation for the development of invasive species regulations on behalf of the New York State Invasive Species Council, in consultation with the Invasive Species Advisory Committee.

As with the plant assessment protocol, consequences to the native species and natural ecosystems of New York are the focus of the animal ranking system. The ranking system is designed to be repeatable, based on the best available science, clearly explained, and fully documented. The system can be used to assess non-native animal species that are established in New York State, species that are new arrivals, as well as species that are not yet present.

Species are assessed at a statewide level using one of three separate assessment forms, Terrestrial Vertebrate, Terrestrial Invertebrate, or Fish and Aquatic Invertebrate. In all three cases, questions are organized into four broad categories:

ecological impact

biological characteristic and dispersal ability

ecological amplitude and distribution

difficulty of control

To date, a total of 83 animal species were assessed in 2013. As additional assessment forms are completed, they will be posted on this website.

Background information pertaining to the assessment process and the use of these animal assessments in the development of official regulations and lists of prohibited and regulated species can be found in the report titled "A Regulatory System for Non-Native Species" prepared by the New York Invasive Species Council in June 2010.

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has published draft invasive species regulations for public comment. The associated documents are available on the Department's Lands and Forests Emergency, Proposed & Recently Adopted Regulations web page at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2359.html.